Looking for an incredibly affordable smartphone? The Karbonn A1+ and Xiaomi Redmi A1+ are vying for the title of best budget phone. But which one truly delivers the best experience for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is the clear winner. Its significantly faster processor, more modern chipset, and slightly better features offer a noticeably smoother experience than the Karbonn A1+. While both are budget options, the Redmi A1+ provides better value overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012 | 2022, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 114.5 x 60.6 x 13.8 mm (4.51 x 2.39 x 0.54 in) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 130 g (4.59 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~52.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 3 MP | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | Mobile TV | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 240 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ivory White | Light Green, Light Blue, Black |
| Models | - | 220733SFG |
| Price | About 50 EUR | € 78.30 / £ 72.30 / ₹ 6,670 |
| SAR | 0.66 W/kg (head) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Karbonn A1+
- Extremely affordable
- Basic calling and texting
- Very slow performance
- Low-resolution camera
- Outdated chipset
- Limited features
Xiaomi Redmi A1+
- Faster processor
- Better camera
- More modern chipset
- Slightly better battery life
- 10W Charging
- Still a budget phone (performance limitations)
- Basic features
- LCD display
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect similar viewing experiences, though Xiaomi might offer slightly better color accuracy. Karbonn's display may have lower brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi A1+ likely has a dual-camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth) offering more versatility. The Karbonn A1+ probably has a single, lower-resolution camera. Image quality will be noticeably better on the Redmi A1+ in most conditions.
Performance
This is where the Redmi A1+ shines. Its quad-core 2.0 GHz processor and Helio A22 chipset are a substantial upgrade over the Karbonn A1+'s single-core 1.0 GHz CPU. Expect smoother app loading, multitasking, and overall responsiveness on the Redmi A1+.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the Redmi A1+'s more efficient chipset should translate to slightly better battery life in real-world usage. The 10W charging on the Redmi A1+ is a small advantage.
Buying Guide
The Karbonn A1+ is best suited for users who prioritize the absolute lowest price and basic calling/texting functionality. The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is ideal for those seeking a more responsive phone for light social media use, browsing, and occasional photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is significantly better for gaming due to its faster processor and more efficient chipset. However, neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Both phones likely support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
